GEF Project Design Specialist

The GEF Project Design Specialist will provide technical expertise and project design guidance to support the identification, development, and implementation of natural resource and environmental project proposals aligned with FAO and GEF strategic objectives. The role involves leading multidisciplinary teams, ensuring quality control of project proposals, capacity development, and supporting FAO-GEF portfolio management.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical expertise or advice and project design guidance to project proponents in the identification, development and implementation of natural resource/environmental project proposals that address country priorities and further FAO and GEF strategic objectives, programme priorities and operational policies and procedures.
• Participate in, and/or leads, multidisciplinary teams to assist governments and Decentralized Offices in the identification and formulation of natural resource and environmental management projects for financing by the GEF Trust Fund, Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF), Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF) or other environmental funds.
• Ensure quality control of the GEF project concepts and full project proposals in line with GEF eligibility criteria and alignment with GEF-8 Programming Directions.
• Coordinate and as required take a lead role in preparing project proposals.
• Participate in, and/or leads, the design and delivery of capacity development activities to FAO technical staff in headquarters and Decentralized Offices on the strategies, priorities and procedures, trends and issues related to GEF, adaptation and other environmental funds.
• Contribute to and/or advise on strategic and programmatic concepts for consideration under GEF-8.
• Contribute to, and/or advise on FAO GEF implementation support including, conducting mid-term reviews of projects.
• As required, supports the management of the FAO-GEF portfolio, monitors and supervises implementation of assigned projects, and ensures quality control at all stages of the FAO and GEF project cycles.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Requirements

• Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in natural resources management, environment, or natural resource economics; Consultants with a bachelor's degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience.
• University degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in natural resources management, environment, or natural resource economics.
• 1 year (for Category C), 5 years (for Category B) or 10 years (for Category A) of relevant work experience in one or more of the following areas: biodiversity, climate change, energy, sustainable land, forest or water management.
• Working Knowledge of English (proficiency level C).
• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is desirable.
• Strong and relevant experience in preparation of projects and programmatic approaches related to the GEF and in results-based monitoring and supervision of multidisciplinary projects.
• Strong and relevant experience with and knowledge of the procedures of GEF and other environmental funds.
• Strong and relevant experience in one or more of the GEF focal thematic areas (biodiversity, climate change, international waters, land degradation, sustainable forest management, sound chemicals management/persistent organic pollutants) that in turn is relevant to FAO’s priorities and comparative advantages.
• Experience in developing projects and programmes for the GEF in relation to agriculture and food systems is desirable.
• Demonstrated analytical and conceptual skills with proven ability to write project documents and papers and ability to analyse and integrate diverse information from various sources.
• Strong and relevant experience in providing technical expertise or advice to project proponents at national, subregional and regional levels with regard to project development, results-based management, monitoring and evaluation planning, and monitoring for project impact.
• Demonstrated capacity to write technical reports in English.
• Limited knowledge (intermediate level B) of one of the other languages of the Organization (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish).
• Adherence to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.

Skills

• Natural Resource Management
• Environment Economics
• Biodiversity Management
• Climate Change
• Sustainable Land Management
• Forest Management
• Water Management Projects
• GEF Project Preparation
• Results-Based Monitoring & Evaluation
• Project Supervision
• GEF Procedures
• Environmental Funds Knowledge
• GEF Thematic Areas Expertise
• Project Development
• Result-Based Management
• Monitoring and Evaluation Plans
• Technical Report Preparation
• Analytical Skills
• Conceptualization Skills
• Multi-disciplinary Team Leadership

Languages

English, Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish